A/n: Mainly about Rose, Ron and Hermione. I guess I should put Harry in there too…
This chapter is going to be sad. Just thought I should warn you. I also added a little something about Harry's love life to try to lighten the mood.
Chapter 7:
Letters of Sadness
Great Hall
Rose sat in the Great Hall finishing some Divination homework. It was 6:13 am and it was Saturday, October 29. Two days before Halloween and the Halloween Dance.
Two more days and she still didn't have a date.
Sure, many guys asked her out, but she didn't want to have to dance with them the whole night.
Maybe Ron or Harry would ask her…
Rose looked up from her homework as she heard a screeching of an owl.
It was Tranquil, her aunt's owl. Tranquil had soft light brown feathers with white dots here and there.
"What is it girl?" Rose asked the bird as she dropped two envelopes on Rose's lap.
She picked up the top one as Tranquil flew away. It was from her Aunt Galinda.
Dearest Rose,
How are you? I'm sorry to tell you, but an evil force has just been unleashed. I can feel it.
They're after someone and I'm afraid it just might happen to be me. They wouldn't go after your parents. After all, they were such fans of You-Know-Who.
Actually, the whole family is or was, except for you and me. We are different. That's why I like you so much.
I am terribly sorry to hear about your friend-Draco is it? Yes Draco Malfoy.
As I sit here writing this, someone is breaking into my house. I can't write much longer, but I can tell you this.
The answer to what you seek is inside of you and your friends.
I love you. Good luck with the family.
Love,
Aunt Galinda.
P.S. - If you are reading this, I am sorry to say that I am no longer on this earth. I have joined your grandparents in Heaven. I hear Them coming upstairs. Know that I always will be with you.
Rose dropped the letter as her eyes filled with tears. How could her aunt, the only one in her family who actually understood her, be dead?
What was the evil force she talked about? Could it possibly be Amelia? Is she really that powerful?
She wept in her hands and cried. She didn't even bother reading the second letter. She knew it was from the Ministry of Magic explaining to her about her dead aunt.
Right now she didn't care.
How the bloody hell could her aunt be dead? She was so young, only thirty-five.
Galinda was her mother's sister. Their family had been raised to love Muggles and Mudbloods. But that was before her mother, Sapphire, met her father, Vince.
Vince was the oldest of three kids. His family was raised to hate Muggles and the like.
Sapphire was a Hufflepuff and Vince was a Slytherin. How they ended up together Merlin only knows.
They ran into each other at The Three Broomsticks during Seventh Year and from there moved on to a nice snogging session. The next thing anyone knew was that they were eloping.
They met the Malfoy clan on their honeymoon and they introduced Rose's parents to the dark side.
A couple of years passed and they had a daughter named Rose.
Rose was different from her mother and father. She didn't approve of Muggles being tortured deep down but on the outside she could care less. She didn't have the strongest powers when it came to magic, but her Muggle gifts were strong.
Her parents abandoned her when she was seven to go live with her Aunt Galinda in the States.
When Rose was around ten, her aunt began to act strange. She wouldn't eat, sleep or anything. She just whispered about how He was going to get her one day.
Then Galinda started cutting herself.
Then the authorities came in and took Rose away to her real parents.
It was a living hell before she got her Hogwarts letter. Rose was so thankful to get away from the abuse, hunger and yelling. Her parents hated her and treated her like a servant.
Galinda and Rose kept in touch by owl and every summer, with permission of course, she was allowed to stay with her aunt.
By Rose's Third Year, her aunt gave up cutting herself (with help from a shrink) and started acting normal. But if she pulled up her sleeves, you could see dark red lines jagging everywhere.
Rose sighed as she thought about her aunt. Then burst into tears. She hadn't even noticed the few students coming to breakfast.
How could she be dead? How?
"Rose? Rose, what's wrong?" Hermione asked as she pulled Rose into a giant hug. Hermione was always an early riser.
Rose couldn't speak, she just kept on crying.
Hermione looked at Rose's homework and saw a letter. It was from Rose's aunt Galinda. Hermione knew she shouldn't but Rose wasn't being any help so, she read the letter.
A knot twisted in Hermione's throat. Then she noticed an unopened envelope.
Hermione picked that one up and tore it open.
She read it.
Ms. Rose L. Williams:
I am sorry to inform you that you aunt, Ms. Galinda R. Christian, has died in a mysterious attack that happened in her home on Friday, October 28 at 11: 11 at night.
We have Aurors investigating the scene right now.
In her will she wanted you to have everything that belonged to her to be given to you. Her fortune is in savings at Gringotts. When you come to the age of eighteen, you may claim you wealth.
I am sorry about your lost. I-
Hermione couldn't read anymore. "Oh Rose! I am so sorry, er, about-"
"Shut the bloody hell up Hermione!" Rose screamed through her tears. She tore out of Hermione's arms and fled from the Great Hall, forgetting her homework and the letters.
She ran to the Astronomy Tower. The sun was rising and the sky was a bright red.
Like blood… Rose broke into a fresh round of tears. She would miss Aunt Galinda like hell. They were practically best friends or sisters.
"Why does this have to happen? To me of all people? Aren't I going through enough right now?" Rose blubbered to herself.
She slammed her back against a wall and slid down. She pulled her knees up and put her arms on top.
That night Rose cried herself to sleep, lost and unable to think clearly.
Later that day…
Rose woke up as a clock chimed noon. She had a peaceful dream about being in the musical Wicked. She was Glinda, the Good Witch.
Then a thought struck Rose. Glinda's name before she changed it was Galinda!
Aunt Galinda! She's gone… "She's gone… forever…and ever…never to return." Rose felt like a water works show. She couldn't stop crying. She never cried this much, even when her parents beat her.
Rose looked about the Astronomy Tower as if searching for her aunt. She needed her. Without her, she was lost. She was the one thread that held her sanity.
"Rose? Oh thank Merlin I found you here!" Hermione walked into the Astrology Tower followed by Ron.
Rose looked at her friends. She tried to stand but was too weak.
"Come on Ron. Grab her arm. Carry her if you have to." Hermione ordered Ron.
Rose looked at Ron as he lifted her up and cradled her in his arms. "It'll be fine Rose. Just fine." Ron looked deeply into Rose's green eyes and saw only confusion.
Rose was lost.
Ron blushed when he realized he was staring.
"Oh, hurry up Ron! I'm starving." Hermione said dramatically. "Rose is probably starving too on account that she hadn't eaten breakfast. Aren't you Rose?"
Rose just stared blankly into space.
"Er, right. Come on Ron! Let's go to the Great Hall." Hermione ambled out of the Astrology Tower.
Ron looked at where Hermione left and followed sadly in her footsteps carrying Rose's limp body.
"Can you walk any slower?" Hermione asked impatiently. She stopped and waited for him to catch up.
"Rose may be unusually light but even light loads get heavy after a great distance." Ron replied defensively.
"What book did you quote that from?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Never mind, we're here."
To prove herself she opened the doors which lead into the Great Hall.
Ron was a bit hurt by Hermione's bitter attitude. Sure she had excuses but still! She didn't have to be so bitchy! Draco was in the Hospital Wing probably going to be moved to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, but who cares about him? Rose's aunt died. If anything, Rose should have a bitchy attitude not Hermione.
Ron sighed and followed Hermione to the Gryffindor Table. They sat down and Ron propped Rose up with a steady arm around her shoulders.
Ron flushed with bliss when Rose laid her head on his shoulder.
He felt superior. Someone actually needed him. And it just so happened that that someone was Rose, someone he cared about almost as much as Hermione. Maybe even the same…
"Rose," Hermione's irritated voice called to the distant girl. "Eat something."
Rose responded by snuggling closer to Ron.
Ron tried to control his delight because he didn't want to take the harshness of Hermione's sharp tongue.
"Come on Rose," Ron begged while stroking her hair. "Eat something, please."
To their surprise, Rose obeyed. She had a few sips of pumpkin juice, a French bread roll and some carrots cooked in honey. It wasn't much but it would last her till dinner.
Rose, suddenly exceptionally tired, fell asleep on Ron's shoulder.
"Er, Hermione?" Ron asked, slightly embarrassed, in a whisper.
Hermione, who was talking to Serena, looked at him angrily. "What?"
"You think I should find someone to bring her to Slytherin?"
Hermione's face softened in concern. "No way! They would kill her, being a "traitor" and all. She should spend the night in our Common Room on a couch." Then she turned her attention back to Serena. "What was I saying? Oh yes, how come all teachers have to…"
Ron sighed as he picked up Rose and carried her to Gryffindor Tower.
Gryffindor Common Room
Ron carefully placed Rose's limp, sleeping body down on an overstuffed sofa made out of soft velvet, next to the fireplace.
He looked down at her perfect figure and had the sudden urge to snog her senseless.
What was wrong with him? Didn't he like Hermione?
"No." Ron said to himself. "Hermione's taken."
But Rose wasn't…
"Hermione's what?" a familiar voice asked from behind him.
Ron spun around to find Harry grinning sheepishly coming down the steps of the Boy's Dorms. "Why if it isn't Harry Potter! Where were you all day long?"
Before Harry could answer, Christina Hayes came from behind Harry. Both of their clothes were askew.
"Harry? Christina? We you…?" Ron's mouth opened in a gasp. "All day?"
The two lovers both turned red with embarrassment.
Then Ron burst into peals of laughter.
"What's so bloody funny?" Christina asked trying to change the subject.
Ron covered his mouth and looked at Rose. She was still sleeping.
He let out a sigh of relief before telling Christina, "I just never thought- you…and Harry." More laughter. "I'm sorry! It's just too bloody weird."
"Shut it." Harry said softly while looking at his shoes.
"Sorry mate. It is weird. I just caught you two after a serious snogging session or Merlin-knows-what and I don't know."
"SHUT THE FU-" Christina started to say but was interrupted by Rose.
Rose sat up and started talking to herself, oblivious to everything around her.
"So cold… I'm so cold. Auntie Galinda. Your dead… so cold…" Rose's eyes wandered as they looked blankly at all that they say.
Ron sat down next to Rose and put his arm around her. "Rose, what's wrong?"
Rose shuddered under his touch and moved away. "So cold… He did it. Amelia too…"
"Rose, you're not making any sense. What about Amelia? What's so cold? Who's He and what did He do?"
"So cold…" Rose burst into tears and wrapped her arms around Ron's neck.
"I give up. Rose, whatever it is, you can tell me."
"Or me." Christina offered.
Harry nodded too but Rose didn't hear or see them.
She turned her eyes up to Ron's face. "She's gone and never coming back. Ever!" She hugged Ron tighter and cried louder.
"Er, Ron. What's eating her?" Harry asked.
"Her Aunt Glenda, no Galinda was killed and no one knows anything."
"That's not good."
"Oh stop being such a prat Harry! Obviously it's not good!" Christina was flooded with rage and overcome by sudden sadness. She didn't even like Rose and she felt sorry for her. "Harry, let's leave her alone."
"But…" Christina grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him out of the Common Room.
Ron looked down at Rose who was still weeping loudly. "Shhh. It'll be alright." He stroked her hair absentmindedly until she stopped crying.
She was sleeping.
He tried to move, but she gripped tighter to him. He sighed and leaned back on the couch. A rustling of paper startled him.
Ron stuck his hand in between the cushions found a piece of paper no bigger than the width of his wrist.
He stared at it for a few minutes before reading it.
Tell her that He's back and He's here. Also tell her I'm here to accomplish what she was supposed to do.
What the bloody hell was that? Ron asked himself.
Ron looked at Rose as if she would be able to give him the answer. He gazed peacefully at her sleeping body. Her breath came in uneven gulps and an occasional sob.
He sighed and laid his head on top of hers. He was soon fast asleep.
Gryffindor Girl's Dormitories
Hermione woke in a cold sweat. She just had an awful dream.
A lovely, young woman sat in a bedroom mending a cloak. She had raven-black hair and mischievous green eyes. She looked about in her mid-thirties.
She checked the clock. It read 10:56.
She sighed and continued to mend.
Suddenly, an ear piercing scream filled the air.
She jumped and threw down her mending. She ran to a window and looked out.
A group of dark figures were blasting curses at a Muggle woman.
"Oh shit." The green eyed woman said to herself. She ran over to her desk and got out a piece of parchment. She searched violently for a quill and ink. She found them and quickly wrote a letter.
As she was writing, a loud boom sounded from below. Someone was breaking into her house.
The woman bit her lip in frustration and finished her letter. She called over an owl as she stuffed the letter into an envelope. She sealed it and wrote an address on it but no return address. She handed it to the owl who grabbed it with a claw.
She stroked the bird and kissed its soft feathers. "Go bring this to Rose. Don't bother coming back." Her voice was like a flute and filled the depressing room with a bit of cheer.
The bird pecked her cheek and didn't go.
"Oh for the love of Merlin! Tranquil, you're going to give this to Rose and never come back. Go!" She gave the owl one last kiss before it flew away and landed outside the window.
The black-haired woman spun around as she heard voices coming up the stairs. She gulped and looked at the clock. 11:09.
She clenched her left fist and with her right hand she pulled out her wand.
Voices and evil laugher were right outside her door.
Slowly the handle turned and the door opened. Inside stepped a duplicate of Rose.
The woman gasped. "Rose?"
The replica of Rose smiled wickedly. "Not quite…"
Others stepped into the room too but they all wore masks.
The woman stifled a gasp. They were Death Eaters… How…?
"Avada Kedavra!" the Death Eaters shrieked at once.
A green bolt of light shot out of the darkness and hit her.
She gasped and then let out a cry of pain.
The woman fell to the floor and her wand rolled uselessly away from her.
She took two minutes to die. Two very painful minutes.
Outside her window, Tranquil watched in horror as she flew away into the night sky.
"What is with these wacky dreams?" Hermione asked herself softly while she rubbed her head.
The dawn light was beginning to peak inside the windows. It cast out an odd pinkish light and made everything look a shade of pink.
Hermione sighed and threw back the curtains around her bed, blinded by the cherry pinkness of the room. For a second, it looked a deep red…like blood…
Hermione shook her head and got out a blue t-shirt and a blue jean skirt that came to a few inches above her knees when she put it on. She made her way to the bathroom and got to the showers. She pulled off her nightclothes angrily and threw them aside. She turned on the faucet for hot water and shrieked. It was ice cold! Someone was messing with the water lines again. Whoever it was, she was going to find them and cast a few jinxes their way…
Finally the water heated up.
Hermione washed her body quickly then took time and lathered lavender-smelling shampoo in her hair.
She let the hot water hit her body for a couple more minutes before shutting off the water.
She stepped out carefully and dried herself off with a pink fluffy towel.
What was with pink this morning? Hermione thought to herself. She shook her head smiling and dressed quickly. She was about to leave the showers when the fogged up mirrors caught her eye. There was something written on it.
Beware. He lives within.
"What…?" Hermione gasped she backed out the door and crashed into something behind her.
"Whoa! Watch it girl!" Lavender's voice giggled behind her. Hermione turned around and smiled weakly to her friend.
"Sorry, I'm just – er – preoccupied this morning." Hermione said apologizing.
"Hey, no harm done." Lavender twirled around to prove herself right. "So, been asked to the dance by anyone yet?" Immediately regretted her words and bit her lip. "Sorry."
Hermione felt a knot swell into her throat. She blinked feverishly at the tears forming in her eyes. "No, it's fine. I haven't been asked yet, but I'm sure Harry or Ron will be willing to take me."
"Try Harry. Ron's – er – busy at the moment. He's seems to have taken a fancy in someone – let's just say… special."
"What do you mean?" Lavender smiled and just shook her head. She started to go back to the Seventh Year Dorms.
Hermione stood thinking for a second then started to catch up to her friend. "Wait! What do you mean by "special"? How special?"
Lavender motioned Hermione to go down the stairs that led into the Common Room. Hermione raised an eyebrow but Lavender just kept smiling.
Hermione, peeved that her friend wouldn't tell her something, made her way down into the Common Room.
She looked around to find only a couple nestled up together on a couch by the nonexistent fire. She turned to find Lavender grinning foolishly behind her. Hermione raised her eyebrows and gave her a funny look. Lavender pointed to the couple and motioned Hermione to step closer.
Hermione did so and her eyes grew wide. "RON WEASLEY! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THI—" She got cut off.
"Geez Hermione. You don't have to yell so damn loud." Ron grumbled and he tried to move but Rose was clinging onto him too tightly. "It wasn't my fault. She was practically dead and in need of comfort. I couldn't move."
Rose yawned and looked at everyone in the room. Then she looked down at her arm, which were wrapped around Ron's torso, and let go, embarrassed. "Sorry." She muttered.
Lavender grinned more foolishly and put her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Come on, let's leave them alone and get some breakfast. There'll be more time to yell at him later."
Before Hermione could protest, Lavender grabbed her arm and headed out the portrait hole.
"Sorry." Rose said again.
"No problem. Just next time — never mind. You should go get ready. Go and do whatever you need to do. I'll be in front of the Fat Lady in about twenty minutes. Enough time?"
She nodded halfheartedly. Her thoughts were still on her aunt. No, I won't think about her. She's gone. She wouldn't want me crying over her. What was it she used to say? Oh yeah! "No use crying over spilt milk." I really don't see how that works here…
Rose hurried up to the Slytherin Tower. When she got there, she avoided all the eyes glaring at her. She went upstairs to the Girl's bathroom and took a quick shower. When she was done, her eye caught the mirror.
Beware. He's here and waiting for another kill…
Rose was suddenly frightened but shook the emotion away. This was some stupid prank from some stupid person.
Rose hurried and finished getting ready. She practically ran all the way to Gryffindor Tower.
She stopped outside the Fat Lady.
"Hello dear." The Fat Lady greeted her.
"Uh, hi."
"Password — wait a minute, you're a Slytherin. What are you doing here?" the Fat Lady sneered.
Rose pulled a fake surprised look. "Really? I'm a Slytherin? No way!"
The Fat Lady sniffed.
"It's ok. She's with me." Ron's head poked from behind the portrait.
"Of course dear. Now be gone." The Fat Lady pointed to the corridor with a nasty smile. Then she said to herself, "A Slytherin and a Gryffindor? What about those "unwritten" rules those kids always blab about? What is the world coming to?" She shook her head sadly.
Rose hung her head sadly as they walked away. Ron eyed her suspiciously. "What's wrong?"
Rose looked at him, teary-eyed. She wiped the tears angrily away from her green eyes. "Nothing's wrong."
"Really? You could've fooled me."
"You're so bloody thick that everything could've fooled you."
"Really now?"
"Yes."
Ron put his hand to his heart. "Miss Williams, it seems you have wounded me." He did a slight bow.
That made Rose giggle. "Well Mr. Weasley, I am afraid my poor little heart cannot take anymore of your flirts. They make my poor little heart flutter."
"I must have misplaced my manners. Forgive me, my dear Miss Williams?" He bowed again.
"Stop talking like that and yeah, I'll forgive you."
Ron smirked. Rose matched his smirk with complete accuracy. They both ruptured into a series of laughter and an occasional snort.
They got to the tall wooden doors which lead into the Hall when Ron grabbed Rose's hand. This act made both of them blush. Ron dropped her hand.
"Er — Rose I was a – er – would—Blast it! Never mind." Ron's face became redder.
"What is it Ron? Tell me!"
"Well, would you like to go to the Costume Dance with me?" he blurted. "You don't have to."
"Well, maybe I want to." A smile started to creep in the corners of his mouth. "Yes Ron, I will go with you to the Costume Dance."
Ron beamed. "Terrific." He clasped his hand around hers and together they walked into the Great Hall.
Great Hall
Hermione kept checking at the staff table for Madam Pomfrey. She wasn't there. That meant Draco was still in the Hospital Wing.
She grinned to herself. Draco hadn't been moved to St. Mungo's after all! He must be getting better! Yes!
Hermione didn't feel like eating anymore. She shoved her food away and got up. A few people at her table had cocked eyebrows but none of them said anything. They were too afraid of the sharp tongue she had acquired.
Hermione walked outside the Hall and made her way towards the Hospital Wing. When she got there, she noticed people carrying someone and a stretcher. Madam Pomfrey was wiping her eyes and whispering to herself. "In all my years. This kinda of thing happened only a few times. It was mainly during Sirius and James's time. In all my years…"
Hermione stared wide eyed at Madam Pomfrey for a minute then fixed her eyes upon the stretcher.
The person was covered with a white cloth. A hand was hanging over the side of it. Hermione knew that hand from holding it when he was in the Hospital Wing.
It was Draco Malfoy's.
Hermione stifled a scream by clamping her hand over her mouth. This isn't him. You're just mistaken. This isn't Draco Malfoy. Draco's inside changing. He's going to come outside in about two minutes and tell me everything's all right. Then he'll ask me to the Halloween Costume Dance and I'll say yes. We'll go together. He'll be a king and I'll be his queen. We'll have the perfect night. Afterwards we'll snog each other senseless…
Oh God! This couldn't be Draco! It just couldn't.
By thins time Madam Pomfrey caught site of Hermione. She pulled her into a great bear hug and stroked her hair.
"I'm so sorry. I did everything I could." Madam Pomfrey's face was strained.
Hermione stared at her in disbelief. "He's n…n…not…"
"Holy Heavens High Above! No dear girl. He is not dead. Or at least he isn't yet… Oh Lord! Miss Granger, I am so sorry." She let go of Hermione and stared to walk away. "I must go write his parents." She called over her shoulder.
A single tear cascaded down Hermione cheek. Many more followed suit. "Oh shit! This is all my bloody fault." She looked longingly after the stretcher as it was being carried away. "This cannot be happening!"
"What's all the ruckus?" Hermione spun around, wiping away her tears, to find Ron and Rose walking towards her.
"He's being moved! He's almost dead. Oh damn! It's all my fault! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!"
"Wow Hermione, in all my years of being your friend, I've never heard you cuss so much." Ron said weakly trying to sidetrack her. His attempt was unsuccessful.
"You!" she turned to Ron. "YOU, BLOODY I'M-SO-POOR-I-CAN'T-EVEN-PAY-FOR-MY-OWN-TREATS-ON-THE-TRAIN BOY, SHOUT THE HELL UP! I CAN CUSS ANY DAMN MINUTE IF I WANT TO! WHAT ARE YOU? MY MOTHER? GO TO HELL!"
"Please Hermione, be fair." Rose pleaded.
"AND YOU!" Hermione pointed a finger at Rose. "YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THIS YOU. I-HAVE-A-BITCH-OF-A-SISTER-AND-SHE'S-NOT-EVEN-MY-SISTER-CAUSE-SHE'S-KINDA-A-POTION-GONE-WRONG, DON"T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S LIKE HAVING SOMEONE CLOSE DIE. Oh Merlin! Rose I'm sorry! It just came out."
Rose was in tears. Hermione was in tears. Ron was standing between them confused.
Ron looked up and saw Harry coming down the corridor arm-in-arm with Christina. "Oy, mate! What did you do to make them both cry like that?" Harry laughed and Christina grinned.
"I didn't do anything. Draco—" Ron began but was cut off by Hermione's cries that seemed to be getting louder.
"Stop being such prats. Can't you see they're in emotional turmoil?" Christina spat at the boys in disgust before pulling Hermione and Rose into a lung-squeezing embrace. "Come girls. Let's leave these to pricks to themselves so they can jinx each other."
Hermione, Rose and Christina walked away towards a bench several hundred yards down the corridor.
Harry turned to Ron. "What was that about?"
Ron sighed and answered, "I think Draco is either dead or at St. Mungo's. I thought you knew about Rose. Guess not. Anyway, her aunt died. She still hasn't gotten over it."
"She just found out yesterday, mate. Give her time. She also will need some love and comfort. As for Hermione, she's so smitten with Draco it's sick. He's my worst enemy and she's my best fried next to you. She'll need time and I think she'll want only the comfort of other females. That leaves us out."
"Gees Harry, since when did you become an expert on women?"
Harry grinned foolishly. "Ever since I knew you."
"Hey, are you calling me a woman?" Ron's jaw dropped.
Harry's smile broadened and he turned away from Ron and walk away.
Ron stood in puzzlement for a minute then he ran to catch up to Harry. "Are you?"
A/N: This chapter is depressing. Next chapter will be worse, promise. For those of you worried about Draco, he he, can't tell you anything.
I have to go (My dad's taking my brother and me out to dinner. Yummy!) or I would write more. Yikes! Dad's yelling! Toddles!
Please review!